Columbus
Axios Columbus
Buckeye Country Superfest, the Violent Femmes and more to do this weekend
๐ฎ๐น Get a culinary, musical and literary taste of Italy during New Albany's Rose Run Fest. Times and locations vary all weekend. Some events are free, others require tickets. ๐ญ Dream along with "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" performed by the Evolution Theatre Company. 7pm tonight...
Why Columbus is funding AI projects for social workers
Columbus is spending millions of dollars on new artificial intelligence to help the city's most vulnerable and the social workers who support them.Why it matters: The programs are part of a broader regional effort to reduce poverty, though a lead organizer acknowledges that this new technology can only do so much in the face of major systemic problems.State of play: Smart Columbus, a nonprofit focused on digital equity, is spearheading two city-funded projects meant to streamline the social services sector, executive director Jordan Davis tells us.One is a new AI tool to automate social workers' administrative tasks to reduce burnout...
Franklin County residents due $343 million in unclaimed funds
Ohio is holding more than $343 million owed to Franklin County residents, most of whom probably don't even know they're missing money.That's $343,077,408.09, to be exact โย and some of it might be yours.How it works: Banks and businesses regularly send unclaimed funds to the state from places such as inactive financial accounts or uncashed last paychecks.The Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of Unclaimed Funds holds the money until its rightful owner submits a request.Franklin County has the second-highest amount of unclaimed funds statewide, per figures released last week.Follow the money: Go to missingmoney.com to see if you're owed anything.๐ค Flashback: We promise it's legit. Alissa completed the process last year and earned nearly $28!
Statehouse Roundup: What Ohio lawmakers have been up to this term
The two-year state legislative term is nearly 75% over and lawmakers are headed on a lengthy summer break after next week.Why it matters: Although the Ohio Statehouse is not as productive as in the past, members are still reshaping Ohio in a variety of important ways.Major laws already signed by the governor this term include:๐ A spousal exception for rape and other sex offenses has been removed from state law.๐ฑ School districts are required to limit cell phone usage in classrooms.๐ง A new civic center at OSU will promote "intellectual diversity."๐ The 360-acre state fairgrounds site is undergoing significant renovations...
Ohio pro tips for dealing with skunks near your house
"You're going to smell them long before you see them โฆ these stinky animals live right in our neighborhoods, so let's find out how we can co-exist with them."Barbara Ray, Dublin's nature education coordinator, on YouTube.What they're spraying: Ray says skunks typically live in woodland areas, but over time have become more comfortable around humans.She offers tips for dealing with skunk traffic around your home:๐งน Keep the yard clean. Skunks target berries that fall from trees, along with seeds below bird feeders.๐ถ Protect Fido. Flick the lights on and off a few times before letting dogs outside at night to shoo away skunks.This prevents them getting startled by your pooch and spraying the yard.๐ฒ Don't panic. "Generally, seeing a skunk is not a problem," Ray says. "They really mind their own business for the most part."She recommends calling a group like the Ohio Wildlife Center if you encounter a skunk that appears sick.
We tried the new Triple Berry Frosty at Wendy's
When Wendy's debuted its Strawberry Frosty in 2022, it was serving up a "most-requested item."The latest: With Triple Berry Frosty's recent debut, now the Dublin-based chain's sixth seasonal flavor, I have to wonder โฆ Did anyone really ask for this?Of course, I still bought one.Dig in: The polarizing dessert is boldly fruit-forward: a sweet but tart combination of strawberry, blackberry and raspberry.My questionable, tart-loving taste buds found it inoffensive but also unremarkable.Some folks, however, are comparing it to revolting cough medicine.The intrigue: One thing people are asking for is the Vanilla Frosty's return, so much that it's addressed on the restaurant's website.Good news, vanilla fans โ it's due back later this year.Bonus review: Tyler recently tried the Saucy Nuggs, another new menu item available in seven flavors. He tells me they're a "cheap substitute for boneless wings."Whether that's good or bad is for you to decide. A four-piece will cost you $2.69.
Where in Columbus to beat the heat this week
Data: National Weather Service; Map: Jared Whalen/AxiosThe Midwest is the epicenter of a stifling heat wave enveloping the country this week.The latest: Starting Wednesday, Columbus will extend hours at five air-conditioned community centers and waive pool admission costs, so residents can beat the heat.The Dodge, Driving Park, Glenwood, Linden and Marion Franklin centers will stay open 9am-9pm until the extreme weather subsides.Pools will be open 1-8pm and still require a free Leisure Card for admission.Columbus Metropolitan Library is keeping four branches โย Main Library, Barnett, Hilltop and Northern Lights โ open as cooling centers Wednesday from noon-8pm, despite having library services unavailable during the Juneteenth holiday.Those branches will also stay open two hours later, till 8pm, on Friday and Saturday.The intrigue: Gateway Film Center is offering free movie showings from 1-6pm Wednesday and Thursday in partnership with the city.
A record-threatening heat wave has arrived
Bring a water bottle and sunscreen if you're going outside this week โ it's absolutely sweltering out there. Why it matters: Extreme heat is the country's top weather-related killer. This is the country's first heat wave of the season, which carries heightened health risks, since people are not yet...
Ohio's 988 hotline lacks permanent funding
Almost two years after the debut of a revamped national suicide hotline, the program remains a work in progress. Why it matters: The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline helps thousands of Ohioans every month, but still lacks a permanent funding plan. How it works: Those in need can call or...
An ode to Columbus' mascots
They're silent, enthusiastic and usually have a T-shirt cannon at the ready. On this National Mascot Day, we're giving three cheers to the furry, fervent creatures pumping up crowds at every local sporting event. The intrigue: Most mascots have strangely elaborate backstories for how they came to root for our...
Ohio is purging its voter rolls before November election
Tens of thousands of Columbus-area voters are at risk of seeing their registrations canceled ahead of the upcoming presidential race, but they have about a month to prevent it from happening.Why it matters: Getting purged from the voting rolls could prevent a citizen from casting important 2024 ballots for president, U.S. Senate or local proposals like the LinkUs sales tax increase.By the numbers: A total of 158,857 Ohio voters face cancellation this year, Secretary of State Frank LaRose recently announced. That's around 2% of total registered voters.The figure includes 23,265 Franklin County voters, county board of elections spokesperson Aaron Sellers...
Juneteenth in Columbus, Ohio, and other events happening this weekend
It's going to be a busy weekend, with the Columbus Air Show, Stonewall Columbus Pride and Father's Day activities, including free fishing, all on the calendar.And while Juneteenth is Wednesday, many groups are recognizing the holiday with weekend celebrations.They include:JuneteenthOhio Festival: Noon-11pm Saturday and Sunday, Genoa Park, 303 W. Broad St. Free till 3pm! Then $5-20.Juneteenth on the Ave: Noon-6pm Saturday, 925 Mount Vernon Ave. Free!Jubilee Day Festival: Noon-4pm Sunday, Ohio Village, 800 E. 17th Ave. Free!Other things to do:๐ Celebrate all things Columbus at the 614 Day block party during Franklinton Fridays.4-10pm tonight, between State and Town streets and...
Columbus Promise extended for "years to come"
The Columbus Promise program that gives Columbus City Schools graduates a free college education will continue beyond its three pilot years, local officials announced yesterday.Why it matters: The initiative, which covers six semesters at Columbus State Community College, is making higher education accessible to students who likely wouldn't have enrolled otherwise, per a new independent analysis.By the numbers: CCS' overall college-going rate has increased from 34% for the class of 2021, before the program, to 50% for the class of 2023, its second cohort.About one-third of all graduates are now Promise Scholars.The latest: Recruitment is ongoing for a third student cohort.Efforts have been on a compressed timeline following the rocky rollout of a new Federal Application for Free Student Aid (FAFSA) form.What we're watching: Officials haven't confirmed how long the extension is for or how they'll pay for it.The three pilot years cost $9.5 million, with $4.5 million funded by donors, $4 million by the City of Columbus and $1 million by Columbus State.What they're saying: "Partners are engaging with philanthropic benefactors to strategize about plans for sustainability and will update the public on these plans as they are finalized," per a statement by the program's leadership.
The Midwestโs worsening food insecurity
Data: Feeding America; Map: Alice Feng/AxiosFood insecurity is worsening most drastically in the Midwest post-pandemic, according to a new report from Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks.Why it matters: Ohio ranked third among our Midwestern neighbors for food insecurity in 2022 and 14th overall nationwide.Experts say rising prices, especially for food, are likely to blame.By the numbers: Over 1.6 million Ohioans were food insecure in 2022.That's 18.9% more than 2021.Zoom out: That increase is the 42nd-highest nationwide.Some states saw spikes of over 40% during that time frame โ with North Dakota (56.8%), South Dakota (45.6%) and Iowa (44.6%)...
Where to find free meals for kids this summer
Nationwide, food insecurity in 2022 was disproportionately higher among children โ 18.5% versus 13.5% among the overall population.Driving the news: The USDA's summer food program โ now called SUN Meals โย is once again providing meals across Central Ohio this year.It helps bridge the summer gap for kids, including Columbus City Schools students, who are eligible for free breakfast and lunch every day at school the rest of the year.Zoom in: Participating meal locations include schools, libraries, churches, apartment complexes, parks and community centers.A kickoff event is at 12:30pm today at Glenwood Pool, 1888 Fairmont Ave.Check out the state's interactive map of sites.Plus: A new federal program called SUN Bucks is providing $120 per child this summer to help qualifying families buy groceries.Households that receive free or reduced school meals or SNAP benefits will receive the funds automatically.See if you qualify.
Columbus Library hosts free walking history tours
It's one thing to read local history, but the Columbus Metropolitan Library wants residents to get outside to learn about their communities up close.Why it matters: The library's free Neighborhood Walking Tours give a firsthand look at how our communities were shaped by political, social, economic and environmental forces.How it works: Each walk begins and ends at a library branch and is led by historians Doreen Uhas-Sauer and Tom Betti.Water and light snacks are provided.Registration is encouraged on the library's online events page.Zoom in: The first tours are Sunday and Monday in Franklinton.Participants will see how the devastating flood of...
Shaq is bringing his DJ show to Columbus
The world's biggest DJ is headed to Columbus this fall.What's happening: Basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal, who performs as "DJ Diesel" and is also known as "Shaq Daddy" and "The Big Aristotle," will appear at Haunted Fest on Oct. 25.Tickets for the Kemba Live EDM event start at $55.The intrigue: We're still waiting for Shaq's fast food chain to arrive.Big Chicken announced plans to eventually open 36 Ohio locations, but so far there is only one in suburban Dayton.
These 5 Central Ohio companies cracked the Fortune 500 list
Five of the 27 Ohio companies that cracked the 2024 Fortune 500 are based in the Columbus area, and we also boast one of the biggest companies in all of America.Why it matters: Central Ohio benefits greatly from being home to these economic anchors, which bring new jobs that spur our ongoing population growth.State of play: Cardinal Health is Ohio's largest company, ranked No. 14 in the U.S. with over $205 billion in revenue last fiscal year. It was also 14th last year.The Dublin-based drug and medical supply distributor is building a 350,000-square-foot warehouse near Rickenbacker International Airport.The company says...
How to celebrate Father's Day this weekend in Columbus
Father's Day is this Sunday. If you're looking for things to do, we have you covered:๐ Go fishing: Saturday and Sunday are free fishing days in Ohio.You can fish at any public waterway without a license. Find a great spot๐๏ธโโ๏ธ Hit the links: If the recent Memorial tournament has you inspired, Columbus' municipal courses have plenty of tee times available.โ Catch the Thunderbirds: The Columbus Air Show returns to Rickenbacker International Airport this weekend, featuring aerobatics by the Air Force Thunderbirds team.9am-5pm Friday-Sunday, $45-65 daily, plus $25-30 parking. Kids under 16 free!๐ฅ Have a drink: Visit any of the 10 area participating distilleries along the new Ohio Distillery Trail.๐๏ธ Celebrate Juneteenth: Grange Insurance Audubon Center (505 W. Whittier St.) will host a Juneteenth & Father's Day Celebration from 2-5pm Sunday.The event will feature a guided bird hike, complimentary beer samples and guest speaker Dudley Edmonson, local author of "The Black & Brown Faces in America's Wild Places."Free with registration.
Bad dogs! Columbus in top 10 for mail carrier attacks
It's not just an old-fashioned pop culture stereotype โ Columbus' number of dog attacks on postal workers has landed us on an unwelcome top 10 list.By the numbers: The U.S. Postal Service reports 33 attacks at Columbus addresses in 2023, the 10th-highest total in the nation.That's up from 13th place in 2022 and 11th in 2021.Los Angeles topped the list with 65 in 2023, followed by Houston (56), Chicago (48), St. Louis (46) and Cleveland (44).Threat level: Dog bites are a big liability. USPS says the average cost per insurance claim for a dog bite is $64,555.Zoom out: Nationwide, dog attacks on postal workers increased by about 9%, to 5,800 last year.It's an unfortunate reminder to secure your pets at mail delivery time.
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Axios Columbus, anchored by Tyler Buchanan and Alissa Widman Neese, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.
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